On Tuesday morning, a Bristol County man pleaded not guilty in Fall River Superior Court to the fatal shooting of Cristiano Macedo at the Morna Lounge and Grill in New Bedford on January 11.
Danielson Varela, 19, of New Bedford, was jailed without bond after being charged in March with murder, firearm violation with two prior violent/drug crimes, and two charges of assault and battery with a firearm.
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According to Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Sowa, just after 1:15 a.m., New Bedford Police responded to the Morna Lounge and Grill at 1621 Acushnet Avenue for a complaint of a shooting inside the establishment.
Police identified three shooting victims: two women and one man. Everyone was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. The two female victims, identified as being in their twenties, were treated for their injuries. The male victim, 27-year-old Cristiano Macedo of New Bedford, was pronounced dead immediately after arriving at the hospital.
Varela faced charges for the shooting incident at a convenience shop on Brock Avenue in February 2024. There were no injuries recorded; however, a vehicle was damaged. Charges were dismissed.
Varela’s next scheduled court appearance is a pretrial conference in May.
